Saturday, June 9, 2012

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Beachreader)

In this seemingly flawless account of the myth of Achilles Madeline Miller has given us a new viewpoint of the Trojan War and it's hero Achilles as seen through the eyes of Achilles' companion and lover, Patroclus.

I love Greek mythology, and found The Song of Achilles to be a fascinating retelling of Homer's The Iliad. I was really surprised that I could not put this book down and had to finish it in one day - especially since I knew how it would end. I think what makes this story so good is that it is a well-written love story that captivates with it's depth and honesty. This is Patroclus' song for Achilles - the love of his young life.

Miller mixes the love story with rich visual details of a Greece where gods and men interact with each other and shows us a time when honor and glory meant more than life. If I have a problem with this book, it is a small one. Patroclus comes off as rather wimpy. In classic Greek myth Patroclus was a brave and powerful warrior in his own right. Miller didn't have to make Patroclus weak to make Achilles appear strong. Achilles was half-god - no one was stronger.

That is my analytical self speaking. What's most important is that I thoroughly enjoyed this lyrical and magical book about a love that transcends time and is worthy of the gods.

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What is this all about?

This blog was created as the official site of the Orange Prize Project - a reading challenge which challenges participants to read all the winners and nominated authors honored by the Women's Prize for Fiction (previously the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction) and the Orange Broadband Award for New Writers.

Wendy @ caribousmom.com is the owner of this blog.

The challenge has been discontinued as of January 1, 2014, but I welcome readers to browse the many reviews on this site.